George Ignatz Wokasch, 98, Frazee, MN died Monday, August 3, 2009, at the Frazee Care Center. A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, 2009, at 2 p.m., at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Frazee, with Father Ilango officiating. Rosary, by the Knights of Columbus, will be held at 1 p.m. in the church on Thursday, August 6th, with visitation following until the time of the service at 2 p.m. Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.

George Wokasch was born to Ignatz and Catherine (Henn) Wokasch on March 11, 1911 in the same house where he lived in Frazee, Minnesota until entering the Frazee Care Center in July of 2004. As a young boy he served as an alter boy when Lake Park was a mission church. After graduation from high school in 1929, George worked at the Aldrich Grocery until he enlisted in the military in February 1941. George was interested in photography; so, while he was enlisted in the military, he was trained as a photographer and sent on several assignments to take photographs and film. He was discharged in September 1945, shortly after the surrender of Japan. George opened a photography shop in Frazee. After several years he decided to go to Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis to study to be an electrician. He got a part-time job at Glenwood Hills Hospital doing maintenance work and later was hired by the Electric Machinery Mfg. Co. Eventually, he was hired by the city of Minneapolis as a worker for the Street Department. George moved back home to Frazee in 1971, after his retirement, to take care of his mother.

George was an avid hunter, fisherman and target shooter and an active member of the Becker County Sportsman’s Club. He loved to play cards and cribbage with his friends and family. George was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus 12581, and started a Scholarship for Frazee students with money earned from a sale of many of his most treasured items.

He is survived by his sister Catherine O’Toole of Minneapolis, MN; brother Norman Wokasch of Colorado Springs, CO; nieces and nephews.

Preceding George in death are his parents, Ignatz and Catherine (Henn) Wokasch; one sister Clara Wokasch; four brothers, Leo, Joseph, Ignatius and Julian Wokasch; and a brother-in-law Leonard O’Toole.

Arrangements are with Furey Funeral Home, 218-334-2461.

Sources:

• Detroit Lakes – Online – August 6, 2009
• Frazee Forum – August 5, 2009

Related:

• George Wokasch’s antique Frazee, gun- & fishing-related items donated for auction

Mr. Wokasch was born April 9, 1885 in New Ulm, moving with his parents to Elm Creek township.

He was married in Fairmont Aug. 30, 1908 to Hilma Elfert.

For many years he was a tinsmith and plumber for the former Houghtaling and Could Hardware in Fairmont, later operating his own poultry business.

Surviving are his wife and a son and daughter, Floyd Wokasch and Mrs. Alvin Ring, both of Fairmont. There are six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. A brother, Henry, also resides in Fairmont.

Olson Funeral Home of Fairmont will be in charge of funeral arrangements which have not been completed.

He was born Jan. 4, 1974, in Detroit Lakes, Minn. He grew up near Frazee and graduated from Frazee High School in 1992. He attended the North Dakota State College of Science, Wahpeton, then worked for BTD in Detroit Lakes and Audubon (Minn.) Engineering. On June 21, 1997, he married Jessi Puttbrese near Frazee.

He is survived by his wife; his parents, John and Elaine Wokasch, Frazee; four brothers, Greg (Shelly), John Jr., both Frazee, Marty, Detroit Lakes, Robert (Paula), Badger, Minn.; a sister, Rebecca (Mike) Morris, Rochert, Minn.; and grandmothers, Leila Wokasch, Detroit Lakes, Lenora Golkowski, Frazee, Alice Puttbrese, Rochert.

Visitation: Sunday from 4 to 8, with a prayer service at 7, in Furey Funeral Home, Frazee, and one hour before the funeral in the church.

Funeral: Monday at 3 in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Evergreen near Frazee.

Burial: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Frazee.

Jessie Wokasch of 1704 Williams St. died at St. Peter’s Community Hospital early Monday morning after an illness of several weeks. She was 70.

Born in Marysville Jan. 13, 1915, to William and Anna Williams, she attended schools in Marysville and in Helena.

She married Lloyd Wokasch in Helena on Oct. 8, 1936. They made their home in Helena since 1942.

Mrs. Wokasch was a member of the Marysville Pioneers.

Surviving is her husband; a daughter, Wanda Lee Powers of Freemont, Calif.; four brothers, Russell and Will Williams of Helena, Charles of Fairfield and Roger of Sequim, Wash.; three sisters Gladys Wendstrom and Helen Smigaj, both of Helena, and Lottie Rector of Pendleton, Ore.; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral arrangements are pending at Retz Funeral Home.

HELENA INDEPENDENT RECORD — 4/16/1985

Jessie Wokasch pallbearers
Funeral services for Jessie Wokasch will be conducted Thursday at 11 am at the Retz Funeral Chapel with the REv. George Harper officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Mrs. Wokasch died early Monday morning at St. Peter’s Community Hospital. She was 70.

Pallbearers will be Gary Smigaj, Bill Whyte, George and Don Larson, Ronnie Schatz and Bob O’Connell.

Duane E. Wokasch of rural Cass Lake died July 28, 1999, at his home.

Funeral services were held Aug. 2 at the Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery Chapel in rural Little Falls, MN with the Rev. Gerald Algers officiating. Interment was at the Minnesota State Veteran’s cemetery with military honors by the Brainerd American Legion Post.

He was born March 27, 1933, in Fairmont, MN, the son of Floyd and Harriet (Kessler) Wokasch. He was raised and educated in Fairmont. He enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and served in Korea with Company “G” of the 31st Infantry. He married Mary Ann Gunderson on Sept 18, 1954, in Jackson, MN. They moved to Minneapolis where he managed a finance office. In 1969, they moved to Buffalo Lake where he was employed by the Gronseth Telephone Company in advertising sales for the Yellow Pages telephone directory. They moved to the Cass Lake area in 1980. He retired in 1990. They made their home near Birch Ridge Resort on Leech Lake. He helped organize Ottertail Peninsula into a township. He was a member of the Ottertail Peninsula Township Board, serving as supervisor in 1987 to 1990.

He enjoyed the outdoors and loved to hunt, fish and go wild ricing; and he also loved to cook.

He was a lifetime member of the Sebeka American Legion.

He is survived by a daughter, Patricia (Neil) Burgstahler of Stewart, MN; three sons: Thomas (Gail Leese) Wokasch of East Dubuque, IL., Michael (Barbara) Wokasch of East Olive, MI, and 1SG Mark Wokasch of Fort Drum, NY; a sister, Janice Hudson of Fairmont, MN; two grandchildren, Elisa and Rilee; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife on Oct 12, 1995; his parents; a brother, Robert; and a sister, Delores.

Mrs. Wokasch was born on Feb. 15, 1902 to Frank and Antonia (Levenez) Doubek in Rice Lake.

She was a retiree of Char-Lynn and a member of many singing groups in the Minneapolis area, the last being the Happy Re-treads.
Survivors include two sons, Russell and William; four daughters, Elizabeth Edlund, Rita Wokasch, Donna Wiese and Margaret Pfeifer; and 23 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandchild. She is also survived by nieces and nephews in the Rice Lake area. Her husband, William Wokasch, died in 1949.

Funeral services were held Oct. 16 at the Cease Family Funeral Home in Cass Lake with the Rev. Gerald Algers officiating. Interment will be at the Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery in Little Falls, MN.

She was born on Oct. 5, 1933, at Wallingford, Iowa the daughter of Alfred and Helene Gunderson. Her father died when she was 2 years old. Her mother later married Mark Husby, who became her stepfather.

They moved to Jackson, MN where she was raised and educated, graduating from Jackson H. S. in 1951. She attended Business College in Iowa.

She married Duane Wokasch on Sept. 18, 1954 in Jackson. They moved to Minneapolis where she worked as a secretary at the Public Health Center.

They moved to Buffalo Lake, MN in 1969 where she worked at the Buffalo Lake Nursing Home and also the school district. In 1980, they moved to the Cass Lake area, residing on Leech Lake.

She is survived by her husband, Duane of Cass Lake; three sons; Thomas (Gail) Wokasch of Camano Island, Wash., Michael (Barbara) Wokasch of Holland, Michigan, and Mark Wokasch of Ft. Hood, Texas; and a daughter, Patricia (Neil) Burgstahler of Stewart, MN.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Helen Davies, and three brothers: Leroy, Sherman and Alan.

Frank and Mary's Wedding Photo

FRAZEE — Frank S. Henn, 88, died Wednesday evening at St. Mary’s Hospital in Detroit Lakes.

Mr. Henn was born in New Jersey Dec. 26, 1873, and had lived in the Frazee vicinity since 1907. He was married to Mary Schmitz at the St. Joesph Catholic church near Perham Nov. 4, 1897. She preceded him in death in 1926.

Surviving are three sonds, George of Frazee; Alex of Perham; Leo of Little Falls; and five daughters, Mrs. C. W. (Louise) Bradshaw, Sacramenta; Mrs. O. Ben (Ann) Olson, Barnesville; Mrs. Gordon (Hilda) Nunn, Frazee; Mrs. Ray (Katherine) Katze, Deer Creek; and Mrs. Milo (Madelon) Huntley, Minneapolis; also three sisters, Mrs. Clara Berger and Mrs. Catherine Wokasch, both of Frazee; and Mrs. Elizabeth Alzheimer, Collins, Mont.; and one brother, Carl of Frazee. there are 18 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren left to cherish his memory. One son William died in 1956.

Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 15, at the Sacred Heart church of which he was a member. The Rev. Fr. Monsignor Adam Junghans will officiate. Rosary will be at eight Friday evening at the Sacred Heart church. Friends may call all day Friday until 7 p.m. at the Miller Funeral Chapel in Frazee. Interment Saturday will be in the church cemetery.

1961 JUL 13 – Daily Journal – Frank S. Henn dies at age of 88

HAND CAUGHT IN CORNHUSKER

Employee in Fairmont Canning Company Badly Injured—Hand Remains in Machine Until Apparatus Is Taken Apart.

Fairmont, Aug 20 —Elmer Wokasch Fairmont canning company employee, suffered a badly crushed left thumb and torn left hand late Tuesday at plant No 2 when the hand was caught m a corn husking machine.

Officials feared Wokasch’s hand had been torn off in the gears of the machine and advised that it not be removed until doctors arrived.

Medical men supervised work of taking the husker apart while Wokasch gritted his teeth but withstood the intense pain. He was taken to the clinic weak from shock and released this morning Doctors thought he would regain full use of the hand in about two weeks.

1931 August 20, Evening Tribune.

WOKASCH, Lloyd, H. age 89, formerly of Helena. Graveside services will be at 2pm. Tuesday at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Friends may pay their respects at Retz Funeral home Monday from 2:00-8:00 pm. Memorials may be made to Marysvil
2 CONC le Pioneer Society, Marysville, MT, 59640.

Lloyd Wokasch
Lloyd H. Wokasch, age 89, died July 1, 1998, in Port Angeles, Washington.

Llody was born on March 24, 1909, in Hymore, South Dakota, to Joseph and Wilhemina (Elfert) Wokash [sic]. After attending schools in Fairmont, Minnesota, Lloyd moved to Montana in 1935.

Lloyd married Hessie [ed: Jessie?] Williams of Marysville in 1936. He worked at the Schatz Ranch, Marysville Mines, Caird Engineering and Armour Metals as a machinist. Lloyd did custom rock picking in the Helena area after his retirement. Lloyd moved to Sequim, Washington, in 1994 to be with his daughter and son-in-law.

Lloyd is preceded in death by his spouse, his parents, a brother, Leonard, and a sister, Luverna. Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law Wanda and Kenneth Power of Sequim, Washington; a sister Pearl Barnett, of Fergus Falls, Minnesota; two grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at Retz Funeral Home Monday from 2 to 8 pm. Graveside services will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens Tuesday at 2pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to Marysville Pioneer Society, Marysville, MT, 595604.

Mrs. Minnie Catherine Wokasch, 79, of 615 No. Hampton St. died Sunday noon at the Fairmont Community Hospital. Death was due to a stroke.

Mrs. Wokasch had been in failing health for the past year, suffering a stroke Dec. 3. She has been hospitalized since.

Mrs. Wokasch was born March 15 , 1887 in Clayton Center, Iowa. Mrs. Wokasch moved with her parents to Minnesota and Martin County as a child, the family settling in Westford Township.

She married Joseph Wokasch March 19, 1908 in Fairmont. They spent their first two years of marriage in Highmore, S.D. then they returned to Martin County and farmed near Granada until 1918 when they moved to Fairmont. She has resided here since Mr. Wokasch died in August 1952.

Mrs. Wokasch was a member of the St. John’s United Church of Christ, its Ladies Aid, the Royal Neighbors and the Woman’s Relief Corps.

Surviving are four children, Lloyd of Helena, Mont., Miss Luverna Wokasch and Leonard of Fairmont and Mrs. Albert Barnett of Mankato; four grand-children and four sisters, Mrs. Thomas Wokasch, Mrs. Lenore Hoppe, Mrs. Herbert Maloof Fairmont and Mrs. Clude Curry of Portland, Ore.

Funeral services will be 2pm Wednesday at the St. John’s United Church of Christ. Burial will be at Fairview Memorial Park.

Visitation at the Olson Funeral home is from Tuesday until time of family services at 1pm Wednesday.

Mr. Wokasch died of cancer Sunday at Fairmont Community Hospital. He had been in failing health for six months.

Friends may call at Olson Funeral Home today and until 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Both Nov. 9, 1907 in Westford Township, Mr. Wokasch attended Granada and Fairmont schools. He married Ruth Becker Dec. 12, 1952 in Fairmont, and was employed by Fairmont Railway Motors for 45 years, retiring in 1972.

Survivors include his wife; one daughter and one son, Mrs. Gary Drennen of Dallas, Texas, and Roger, a home.

Mrs. Wokasch’s Funeral Rites Held Here Today

Funeral services were held this afternoon at Fairmont St. John’s E & R church for Mrs. Henry Wokasch, 1017 N. Prairie avenue. She died Friday at Fairmont Community hospital following a stroke suffered the previous day.

Amanda M. Elfert was born Feb. 9, 1885, at Elkander, Ia., coming to Rutland township as a child with her parents, William and Bertha Elfert.

She was married to Henry Wokasch March 1, 1904 at the West Rutland church. They farmed until 1921 when they moved to Fairmont.

Surviving are her husband and one son, Elmer, of Fairmont. There ae two grandchildren. Five sisters are Mrs. Joe Wokasch, Mrs. Tom Wokasch, Mrs. Herbert Malo, Mrs. Lenore Hoppe, all of Fairmont, and Mrs. Claude Curry of Portland, Ore.

Services at 2pm today were conducted by the Rev. Harry Stroessner, pastor of St. John’s and burial was in Fairmont Fairview Memorial park. Olson funeral home of Fairmont was in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Ida E. Wokasch, 69, 702 Clark Ave., died about 7 p.m. Thursday at Mary Greeley hospital. Funeral services will be held from the Olson funeral home at Fairmont, Minn., Saturday at 3 p.m. Burial is in Lakeside Cemetery at Fairmont.

Mrs. Wokasch had lived in Ames for the past two and one-half years. She was a retired telephone operator. She worked for the telephone company in Northrop, Minn, for 42 years. She was born in Northrop May 1, 1891.

Mrs. Wokasch was preceded in death by her husband, Conrad P. Wokasch, whom she married in Fairmont, Dec. 5, 1909.

Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Inez DeBoer, Rt. 1; a son, Harold, Lakewood, Calif.; a sister Mrs. John Wehner, and a brother, Henry Buchmeier, both of Fairmont, Minn.

Funeral services for Mrs. Frantz Wokasch were held Wednesday afternoon of this week, from the home at 1:30 and in St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Evergreen at 2:00. The last rites were conducted by Rev. E. T. Hilpert, who with Mrs. Hilpert, also sang a most beautiful duet “Lass mich gehn” during the service. Pallbearers were August Boldt, Herman Bohne, Anthony Berger, Sr., Fred Illg, Sr. Otto Paesler and John Kinnen, Sr. Internment took place in the Evergreen cemetery.

Louisa Fenske, daughter or [sic] Christian Fenske and Elizabeth Sonnenberg, was born April the 2nd, 1868 in Brusno, Poviat Lipnow, Poland, some 10 to 15 miles from the German boundary. She was baptized in the Evangelical congregation of Ossowski and also confirmed at Ossoske on the 27th of March, 1883. Her parents were linenweavers in Poland and she also became skilled in the art of hand looming fine linens in many intricate designs.

Louisa came to this country in 1897 and on arrival in the United States worked at Davenport and Fargo, North Dakota, for two years before coming to Evergreen township, near Frazee. She was married on November 3rd, 1899, to Frantz Wokasch, and lived on their present homestead for the past 42 years. At the time of her death MRs. Wokasch was 73 years, 4 months and 21 days old.

Besides her husband, four daughters and three sons remain to mourn their mother’s loss. They are Mrs. Anthony Berger (Theresa) of Silverleaf, Matt, who work sin the lumber mill at Libby, Montana, Alvina at Phoenix, Arizona, Jacob, who is farming in Evergreen, Mrs. Alvin Mathews (Clara) of Bethany, Mo., Amelia, of Santa Barbara, Calif., but now at home, and Michael, science teacher this term at the Battle Lake High School. One child, Emma, died in infancy.

Amelia came home from California when her mother was first stricken and Matt was also home from Montanan during her last illness, having to return to work again the morning of the day she died.

A few years ago, while climbing up on a ladder to gather eggs from the top of a corn stack, Mrs. Wokasch had the misfortune to fall, severely injuring herself. Since that time she developed pernicious anemia, which left her in a weakened condition and contributed to her demise although the immediate cause of death was a heart attack.

During the intense heat of July 30th she suffered a heart spell, collapsing while out in the yard, and had to be carried into the house. She had ever since been confined to her bed. At the onset of the heart seizure which preceded the end, Rev. Hilpert was called to attend her and gave her Holy Communion so that she was spiritually prepared when the final summons came. She became worse on Saturday, Aug. 23 and Dr. Esser of Perham was summoned to attend her and ease her last hours. She fell asleep that afternoon and quietly passed away at eight o’clock in the evening without awakening from her peaceful slumber.

Besides the above mentioned children and her husband, MRs. Wokasch is also survived by seven grandchildren and by one brother, August Fenske, in Poland, who was last heard from three years ago. She also had numerous other relatives living in Poland.

To those bereaved by this wife and mother’s passing the Press extends sincerest sympathy and we know that all friends of the Wokasch family join in our expression of condolence at this sad time.

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CARD OF THANKS
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We wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to the neighbors and friends for the many acts of service and kindness shown us during the last illness and after the death of our dear wife and mother. Especially do we wish to thank Rev. Hilpert for his spiritual ministrations and comforting sermon, also our pastor and his wife for their singing at the funeral and Miss Marie Hilpert, who played the accompaniment. We also are more appreciative of the floral offerings and memorial wreaths, the contributions of food sent in by the neighbors, the service of the pallbearers, and the sympathy extended us on every side.

Frantz Wokasch
and children.

Ursula Marie Bartel of Eugene died Jan. 15 of complications of emphysema. Mrs. Bartel was 84.

She was born Aug. 18, 1920, in Frazee, Minn., to John T. and Mary (Rother) Wokasch.

She married Clarence George Bartel on Sept. 15, 1940, in Badger, Minn.

She worked for J.C. Penney & Co. as a sales clerk, retiring in 1988. She enjoyed bowling and singing in the church choir. She was a Cub Scout den mother. She enjoyed traveling, gardening and sewing. She was an avid reader and a great Duck basketball supporter.

She was a Gold Star member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She was also a member of the Altar Society, the Community Theater and the Community Chorus in Minnesota. And she was a member of St. Alice Catholic Church.

She is survived by sons Karl Bartel of Carson City, Nev., and Paul Bartel of Ashburn, Va.; daughter Barbara Baye of Rapid City, S.D.; sisters Mary Silva of West Sacramento, Calif., and Cecilia Brown of International, Minn; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death on May 27, 2001, by her husband.

Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Buell Funeral Chapel. Recitation of the Holy Rosary is at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 19, at Buell Funeral Chapel. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 20, at Buell Funeral Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Medical Center Tobacco Awareness Education. Buell Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Survived by children, Mary, Mike, Teresa, Carol, Laurie, Chris, Cathy and their mother, Millie; brother, Bill Wokasch; sisters, Betty Edlund, Donna Wiese and Rita Jean Wokasch; and nieces and nephews. Service 11:00 AM Friday at Morris Nilsen Funeral Chapel, 6527 Portland Ave. S., Richfield. Visitation one hour prior. Interment at Ft. Snelling. Memorials preferred to the American Cancer Society and Hospice Health Care. Morris Nilsen Chapel 612-869-3226 www.morrisnilsen.com

He was born Nov. 17, 1879 in Brown County, coming to Rutland Township with his parents when a small boy. He was married March 1, 1904 to Amanda Elfert who died May 19, 1961.

They farmed in Martin County until 1923 when they moved Fairmont. Mr. Wokasch was employed by Fairmont Railway Motors until he retired in 1946.

He was last of nine children. A brother, Thomas of Fairmont, died Nov. 19.

Surviving are son, Elmer, and two granchildren [sic].

Funeral service will be 2pm Friday at St. John’s United Church of Christ with burial in Fairmont Fairview Memorial Park. Visitation will be at Olson Funeral Home from Thursday until 12:30pm Friday.

Sudden and unexpected death visited a well-known family of this community Sunday evening when John Wokasch, prominent Evergreen farmer, passed away from the effects of a stroke. Sunday morning Mr. Wokasch had been to Mass at the Scared [sic] Heart Catholic Church here, as usual, and in the afternoon he went visiting at the Christ Drewes home. Returning home about five p.m. he had just put the car in the garage and was starting up towards the house when suddenly collapsed in the yard. His son Carl, who had gone down to help him put the car away was walking with him when the fatal seizure occurred. As quickly as possible Mr. Wokasch was carried in the house and altho it seemed to his children at first that he was trying to say something to them, he was unable to do so, nor did he recover consciousness before the end. In the absence of Father Junghans, Father Schirmers of Perham was called out to the Wokasch farm, and arriving there about eight o’clock he administered extreme unction to the stricken man, whose body he found still warm, altho death had already apparently occurred.

Just last Friday, January 6th, Mr. Wokasch celebrated his 69th birthday and the neighbors and members of the family who helped him observe the ocassion [sic], no recall that “John” said that he did no care to celebrate another birthday on this earth. His children also recollect how lately he hed [sic] never set an exact date for doing any particular thing or work, but always said he would do it at such a time “if he were still here.” He greatly missed and mourned his departed wife and looked forward to joining “mother” in the life beyond. Evidently he had an inner presentment that their separation was not to be for much longer and his wish to be with her was blessedly granted by God. By a rather strange coincidence, MR. Wokasch and his wife both died on the eigth day of the week. Mrs. Wokasch passing away on August 8th, 1934, while he folled her this January 8th, 1939. Both were also buried on the 11th.

Altho he had not felt quite so physically fit and well for the past couple of years, MR. Wokasch gave little evidence of being seriously ill, and his sudden demise, coming as it did without any warning whatsoever, was a very sad shock to his family and friends alike. Many can still scarcely realize that he is really gone and even when he lay in state in his coffin, he looked so natural and life-like that he appeared to be naturally sleeping. And so it is of comfort to think of him as–”not dead, but sleeping.”

Altho Mr. Wokasch was born in Austria he came to this country with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Wokasch, as a baby of about a year old. They settled at New Ulm, in Carver County, Minnesota and it was there that John grew to manhood. He was about thirty years of age when he came to this part of the state and settled on the farm in Evergreen Township which has ever since been the Wokasch home. January 23rd, 1905, he was married to Mary Rother, their wedding taking place at the Catholic Church here.

Ten children blessed this marriage union, two of whom, a boy and a girl passed away in infancy. The eight surviving children are: Carl and Martin, at home, Rose (Mrs. Irvin Scheidecker) of Duluth, Mary and Hedwig of Wadena, Helen (Mrs. Carl Fredrickson,) of Minneapolis, Dorothy (Mrs. Norbert Schaedler) of International Falls, Ursula at home, and Cecelia of Oakes. North Dakota. All of the girls, together, with their husbands, were here for their father’s funeral.

In addition to the above named children, Mr. Wokasch is also survived by six brothers and an only sister. The sister, MRs. Tom (Theresa) Booth of Northrup, and four of his brothers, Conrad, also of Northrup, and Tom, Henry, and Joe, all from Fairmont, were here for the funeral, but Frank and Art were unable to come. Tom Wokasch’s son, Floyd, also occupied his father here while other out-of-town relatives and friends in attendance included Mrs. Schaedler (Norbert’s mother) from International Fals [sic], MR. and MRs. George Konkler and son Raymond of Oakes, M. Dak. (Mrs. Konkler is a cousin of the deceased) and also David Bengston of Wadena.

Funeral services for Mr. Wokasch were held Wednesday morning at 9:30 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with Rev. Fr. Schirmers of Perham as celebrant of the Requiem High Mass.

Six of Mr. Wokasch’s good friends and neighbors, John Ulschmid, Sr., Robert Byer, Anthony Berger, Sr., John Holzel, Sr., Louie Karsnia and B. W. Aldrich, served as his pallbearers. Interment took place in the Sacred Heart Cemetery.

If ever there was a faithful church-goer, MR. Wokasch was, and he was equally fervent in his home devotions. When such a one is taken they are missed more than words can tell in the congregations, community life and family circle, but theirs is the assurance of Heaven’s reward for Christian constantness. By his acts and his faith, MR. Wokasch was truly prepared for his Master’s summons, and as Father Schirmers pointed out in his funeral discourse, it sometimes takes such a suddenly shocking death to make us realize that death is not only unescapable but ever imminent. Therefor we should “make ready” for it every day of our lives and not on a moment’s notice since all to often that precious moment of preparation is denied. A flower does not change into a thorn nor is a thorn transformed into a flower simply because they are plucked. If you pull an eatable vegetable out of the garden you still have a vegetable after it is pulled, or if you up-root a noxious weed you have a weed. Their character is not altered or changed simply because they are pulled or plucked. Thus it is also with the human soul. Death does not change it. It must grow into something good and worth while, deserving of Heaven’s blessings, while it is yet on earth.

Looking about the church at the sorrow-marked faces of relatives, friends and neighbors of the deceased, and seeing his grief-stricken sons and daughters as they walked behind their father’s bier, the sincerity of their sorrow and the general feeling of grief evoked by Mr. Wokasch’s passing brought to our mind this thought: What more lasting monument could a man leave behind him than a host of such sincerely sorrowing friends and a large family, reared to successful young man and womanhood who grieve in common accord the passing of a beloved and never-to-be-forgotten father. The memory of their many happy hours with him, the pride and pleasure he took in their family life, the exemplary example he always set them, are a priceless inheritance to his children. Great as their bereavement is, they know that their father followed God’s Way and Will and there is solace and satisfaction in the realization that he has gone to His promised reward. Therefore they can “comfort one another with these words.”

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Card of Thanks
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We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to the many kind neighbors and friends whose sympathy and assistance sustained us during our deep bereavement. For all that was done for us at this time we are deeply grateful and we will never forget your goodness. Especially do we thank Father Schirmers, the pallbearers, and those who sent floral offerings.

The Wokasch Children.

Mr. Wokasch was born in Germany April 16, 1880. He never married. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic church of Frazee.

Surviving are four brothers, Adolph of Chicago, Wencel of West Alice, Wis., Edward of Frazee and Benjamin of Pine River, and one sister, Mrs. Anna Konkler of Oakes, N.D.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Dec. 16, at 9 a.m. at the Sacred Heart church of Frazee, with Monsignor Junghans officiating.

Rosary will be recited at the Miller Funeral Chapel at Frazee Tuesday at 8 p.m.